Airlift for biker hurt in trials on Addingham moor

A trials rider is recovering in hospital after crashing his bike during a competition.

Andy Howe, 55, of Eccleshill, Bradford, suffered a broken leg and ribs after losing control of his machine in the Yeadon-Guiseley Motor Club Championship series at Light Bank Lane, near Addingham Moorside.

Mr Howe, who has won awards at events across Yorkshire, was stabilised by first-aider Julie Rose before paramedics and the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Team arrived after the crash on Sunday.

The rescue team carried Mr Howe down from the moorland crash site to a Yorkshire Air Ambulance and was flown to hospital.

Journalist Barry Robinson, who was covering the event, said: “I have covered these since 1957 and it is one of the worst accidents I have seen. It is very, very rare that we have an incident like this. It is a safe sport. There is no speed at all involved. He was going down a steep incline, full of rocks, and if you twist the throttle the bikes do take off and he lost control. It was a bad shock.”